All Turtles Message Board

anewrachel · Guest Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 1

My kids brought home a painted turtle about 4 days ago. I set her up in a very comfy and turtly tank. She is very active and friendly, doesn't even mind the kids. Sometimes she's almost too active though, not really trying to get out of her tank but swimming like crazy. She's not eating either. I've tried pellets, frozen stuff, feeder fish and apple. She wants nothing to do with it. Could she be pregnant and trying to find a place to lay? How can I tell visibly if she's pregnant? If not what else could be the issue?

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

I wouldnt worry about the turtle not eating since its in a new enviroment. You wont be able to tell if shes preg. I believe all turtles lay eggs.
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Nevfalath · Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 11:04 pm Post subject:

My turtle would swim around crazily too. Also, she may not be eating because she is scared. The environment is still so new to her. She may be too stressed to eat. Just give her a couple days, she will eat eventually.

Also, turtles lay eggs on land. Eggs are very hard to care for. Just rolling them over can kill the baby inside. If you think she may be pregnant, it might be best to release her from where she was found so she can lay her eggs naturally.
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Vanilla_Rat · Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 7:56 am Post subject:

Yeah,I agree...she probably isn't eating due to stress.Afterall you just took her out of the wild and put her in a "box" that she cannot get out of,she is probably confused.

As for "pregnant",isn't the term gravid used for turtles too? I think it is, but either way,whether she mated or not,she can still lay eggs.Of course without a male,the eggs wouldn't be fertilized.Maybe it is best you release her to where you found her.
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My Babies:
~ 24 rats
~ 6 mice
~ 2 leopard geckos
~ 1 RES turtle
~ 2 fancy goldfish and 3 bettas
* A 2 yr old daughter